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Core System Settings (ONB-CS04)

Scenario 1 – Multi-Utility Service Configuration for Regional Provider

Scenario Description A regional utility company needs to configure their new SMART360 system to manage water, electricity, and waste services across multiple municipalities with different measurement requirements.

Objective (Why)

  • Enable comprehensive service management across multiple utility types in a single system
  • Ensure accurate billing and consumption tracking with appropriate measurement units
  • Establish proper system modules to support field operations, customer service, and billing processes

If Not Set – Business Impact

  • Revenue loss of $50,000+ monthly due to inaccurate metering and billing inconsistencies
  • Regulatory compliance violations for incorrect measurement standards in water and electricity services
  • Customer dissatisfaction from billing errors and inability to track consumption properly across different services

Scenario Explanation - in short Metro Regional Utilities serves 15,000 customers across three municipalities. Sarah Chen, the Utility Administrator, must configure the system for:

  • Water service: Metered in gallons with 8,500 residential customers
  • Electricity service: Metered in kWh with 12,000 customers (residential and commercial)
  • Waste collection: Non-metered with flat-rate billing for 10,000 customers She activates Consumer Services, Billing, Meter Data, and Field Force modules, then creates consumer categories: Residential (Single Family, Multi-Family), Commercial (Small Business, Industrial), and Municipal customers.

Audience (Why it Matters) - in short

  • CSM → Must explain to customers how their different services are measured and billed, handle inquiries about why water is in gallons while electricity is in kWh
  • QA → Must validate that metering toggles work correctly, measurement units display properly for each service, and billing calculations are accurate across different utility types
  • Engineers/Interns → Must understand how service configuration affects downstream processes, why certain modules are interdependent, and how consumer categories impact reporting structures

Does it fit in SMART360 ✅ Perfect Fit - This scenario directly aligns with the Core System Settings user story.

Step-by-step application:

  1. Utility Services Tab: Activate Water (toggle metered=ON, unit=gallons), Electricity (toggle metered=ON, unit=kWh), Waste (toggle metered=OFF)
  2. System Access Tab: Select Consumer Services, Billing, Meter Data, Service Order, Field Force Mobile App modules
  3. Consumer Categories: Add "Municipal" category with subcategories "Government Buildings" and "Parks & Recreation"
  4. Document Types: Configure "Service Agreement" with subcategories for each utility type
  5. Contracts: Add "Multi-Service Contract" with template files for combined utility services

Scenario 2 – New Utility Company System Setup

Scenario Description A newly established municipal water utility needs complete system configuration from scratch to begin operations and customer onboarding.

Objective (Why)

  • Establish foundational system settings to support immediate customer enrollment and service delivery
  • Configure proper user roles and access controls for a small team of 12 employees
  • Set up essential document management for regulatory compliance and customer records

If Not Set – Business Impact

  • Delayed service launch costing $25,000 in lost revenue per week
  • Inability to process new customer applications or generate compliant billing statements
  • Manual workarounds leading to 40% more staff time and increased error rates

Scenario Explanation - in short Clearwater Municipal Utility is launching next month. Operations Manager Tom Rodriguez needs to configure the system for 3,200 potential water customers. He sets up:

  • Water service only (metered in gallons)
  • Essential modules: Consumer Services, Billing, Service Orders
  • Staff roles: 1 Utility Manager, 2 Customer Executives, 3 Meter Readers, 2 Field Technicians
  • Document types: Service Application, Connection Agreement, Water Quality Report
  • Consumer categories: Residential, Commercial, Municipal

Audience (Why it Matters) - in short

  • CSM → Must guide new customers through service applications, explain document requirements, and communicate billing processes
  • QA → Must verify role-based access controls work properly, document workflows function correctly, and service activation processes are error-free
  • Engineers/Interns → Must understand the minimum viable configuration for utility operations and how each component enables basic service delivery

Does it fit in SMART360 ✅ Perfect Fit - This scenario completely matches the user story requirements.

Step-by-step application:

  1. Utility Services: Activate only Water service, enable metering, set unit to gallons
  2. System Access: Select Consumer Services, Billing, Service Order modules only
  3. System Roles: Select Customer Service Department (2 executives), Metering Department (3 readers), Operations Department (2 technicians)
  4. Consumer Categories: Keep default Residential/Commercial, add Municipal category
  5. Document Types: Add "Service Application" and "Connection Agreement"
  6. Contracts: Create "New Customer Contract" with application forms and terms

Scenario 3 – System Access Control for Department-Based Operations

Scenario Description A large electric utility needs to configure role-based access to prevent unauthorized system changes while enabling efficient departmental workflows.

Objective (Why)

  • Implement proper security controls to prevent unauthorized access to critical billing and metering functions
  • Enable department-specific workflows while maintaining system integrity
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements for access controls and audit trails

If Not Set – Business Impact

  • Security vulnerabilities exposing customer data and billing information to unauthorized staff
  • Compliance violations resulting in potential $100,000+ fines from regulatory authorities
  • Operational chaos from staff accessing functions outside their expertise, causing system errors

Scenario Explanation - in short PowerGrid Electric serves 75,000 customers with 45 employees across departments. IT Director Lisa Park configures access where:

  • Customer Service (8 staff): Access Consumer Services, Call Center modules only
  • Billing Department (5 staff): Access Billing, Reports & Analytics modules
  • Metering Department (12 staff): Access Meter Data, Field Force Mobile App
  • Management (3 staff): Access all modules for oversight Each department gets appropriate document types and consumer category access based on their function.

Audience (Why it Matters) - in short

  • CSM → Must understand which customer information they can access and modify, what functions are available to resolve different types of customer issues
  • QA → Must test that role restrictions work properly, users cannot access unauthorized modules, and audit trails capture all access attempts
  • Engineers/Interns → Must comprehend role-based architecture, security implications of access controls, and how permissions affect system functionality

Does it fit in SMART360 ✅ Perfect Fit - The System Roles functionality directly supports this scenario.

Step-by-step application:

  1. System Access: Enable all modules (Call Center, Consumer Services, Meter Data, Billing, Service Order, Field Force Mobile App, Reports & Analytics)
  2. System Roles:
    • Customer Service Department: Select CSO Manager, Customer Executive, Call Center Representative
    • Billing Department: Select Billing Manager, Billing Specialist
    • Metering Department: Select Meter Manager, Meter Reading Supervisor, Meter Reader
    • Administration Department: Select Utility Administrator, Utility Manager
  3. Document Types: Configure access restrictions per department
  4. Consumer Categories: Set viewing permissions based on department needs

Scenario 4 – Complex Consumer Categorization for Tiered Pricing

Scenario Description A gas utility needs to establish detailed consumer categories to support complex rate structures and regulatory reporting requirements.

Objective (Why)

  • Enable accurate rate application based on customer type and usage characteristics
  • Support regulatory reporting requirements for different consumer segments
  • Facilitate targeted customer service and marketing programs

If Not Set – Business Impact

  • Incorrect billing rates leading to $200,000+ annual revenue loss or customer overcharges
  • Regulatory reporting errors causing compliance issues and potential service restrictions
  • Inability to analyze customer segments for operational planning and rate case preparations

Scenario Explanation - in short Metro Gas Company has 28,000 customers requiring complex categorization. Rate Analyst Jennifer Kim creates:

  • Residential: Single Family (detached homes), Multi-Family (apartments/condos), Mobile Home
  • Commercial: Small Commercial (<100 MCF/month), Large Commercial (>100 MCF/month)
  • Industrial: Manufacturing, Food Processing, Chemical Processing
  • Special: Schools, Hospitals, Government Document types include Rate Schedules for each category, Special Agreements for industrial customers, and Regulatory Reports for compliance tracking.

Audience (Why it Matters) - in short

  • CSM → Must correctly classify new customers, explain rate differences between categories, and handle category change requests with proper documentation
  • QA → Must validate that category assignment affects billing correctly, rate schedules apply properly, and reporting captures all segments accurately
  • Engineers/Interns → Must understand how consumer categories drive billing logic, rate calculations, and regulatory reporting structures

Does it fit in SMART360 ✅ Perfect Fit - The Consumer Categories functionality supports this detailed categorization.

Step-by-step application:

  1. Consumer Categories:
    • Edit Residential: Add subcategories "Single Family," "Multi-Family," "Mobile Home"
    • Edit Commercial: Add subcategories "Small Commercial," "Large Commercial"
    • Add Industrial: Create subcategories "Manufacturing," "Food Processing," "Chemical Processing"
    • Add Special: Create subcategories "Schools," "Hospitals," "Government"
  2. Document Types: Add "Rate Schedule" with subcategories for each consumer type
  3. Contracts: Create category-specific contract templates
  4. System Access: Enable Billing and Reports & Analytics for rate management

Scenario 5 – Document Management for Regulatory Compliance

Scenario Description A water utility must establish comprehensive document management to meet state regulatory requirements and customer service needs.

Objective (Why)

  • Ensure all required regulatory documents are properly categorized and tracked
  • Enable efficient customer document management for service requests and compliance
  • Support audit trails for regulatory inspections and customer disputes

If Not Set – Business Impact

  • Regulatory non-compliance resulting in potential service shutdowns and $500,000+ penalties
  • Customer service delays from inability to locate required documents quickly
  • Failed audits due to poor document organization and missing compliance records

Scenario Explanation - in short Riverside Water Authority serves 22,000 customers under strict state oversight. Compliance Officer Maria Santos establishes document types:

  • Customer Documents: Service Applications, Meter Installation Reports, Disconnection Notices
  • Regulatory Documents: Water Quality Tests, System Pressure Reports, Environmental Compliance
  • Financial Documents: Payment Agreements, Adjustment Authorizations, Collection Notices
  • Operational Documents: Work Orders, Maintenance Records, Emergency Response Plans Each document type has subcategories for different situations and retention requirements.

Audience (Why it Matters) - in short

  • CSM → Must know which documents to request from customers, how to file different document types, and what information is needed for various service requests
  • QA → Must verify document workflows capture all required information, filing systems work correctly, and retrieval functions operate efficiently
  • Engineers/Interns → Must understand document lifecycle management, compliance requirements, and how document organization supports operational efficiency

Does it fit in SMART360 ✅ Perfect Fit - The Document Types functionality directly supports this compliance scenario.

Step-by-step application:

  1. Document Types: Create comprehensive categories:
    • "Customer Documents" with subcategories: Service Application, Meter Installation Report, Disconnection Notice
    • "Regulatory Documents" with subcategories: Water Quality Test, System Pressure Report
    • "Financial Documents" with subcategories: Payment Agreement, Adjustment Authorization
    • "Operational Documents" with subcategories: Work Order, Maintenance Record
  2. System Access: Enable Consumer Services, Service Order, Reports & Analytics modules
  3. System Roles: Configure appropriate access for different staff levels
  4. Contracts: Add compliance-related contract templates

Scenario 6 – Contract Management for Service Agreements

Scenario Description An electric utility needs to establish standardized contract management for different service types and customer agreements.

Objective (Why)

  • Standardize service agreements across all customer types to ensure legal compliance
  • Enable efficient contract creation and management for new customer connections
  • Support specialized agreements for industrial customers and renewable energy programs

If Not Set – Business Impact

Scenario Explanation - in short Coastal Electric Company needs contract management for 41,000 customers. Legal Compliance Manager Robert Chang creates:

  • Standard Service Contract: Basic residential and small commercial agreements
  • Industrial Service Contract: Large customer agreements with demand charges and power factor requirements
  • Net Metering Agreement: Solar customer interconnection contracts
  • Demand Response Contract: Peak load reduction program agreements Each contract type includes template documents, terms and conditions, and amendment procedures.

Audience (Why it Matters) - in short

  • CSM → Must know which contract applies to different customer types, how to process contract amendments, and what terms to explain to customers
  • QA → Must validate contract generation works correctly, required fields populate properly, and document attachments function as designed
  • Engineers/Interns → Must understand contract lifecycle, legal requirements for different service types, and how contracts integrate with billing systems

Does it fit in SMART360 ✅ Perfect Fit - The Contracts functionality supports this contract management scenario.

Step-by-step application:

  1. Contracts: Create contract types:
    • "Standard Service Contract" - attach residential service agreement PDF
    • "Industrial Service Contract" - attach commercial agreement template
    • "Net Metering Agreement" - attach solar interconnection contract
    • "Demand Response Contract" - attach load management agreement
  2. System Access: Enable Consumer Services, Billing modules
  3. Consumer Categories: Ensure categories align with contract types
  4. Document Types: Add "Contract Amendment" and "Service Modification" types
  5. System Roles: Configure access for legal and customer service staff

Scenario 7 – Cross-Border Utility Consortium with Multi-Jurisdictional Compliance

Scenario Description A utility consortium serving three states with different regulatory frameworks needs unified system configuration while maintaining jurisdiction-specific compliance requirements.

Objective (Why)

  • Enable seamless operations across multiple regulatory jurisdictions with different measurement standards and compliance requirements
  • Maintain separate billing and reporting structures for each state while sharing operational resources
  • Support complex inter-utility transactions and emergency mutual aid agreements

If Not Set – Business Impact

  • Regulatory violations across three states totaling $2.5M+ annually in potential fines and penalties
  • Inability to share resources during emergencies, risking public safety and service reliability
  • Cross-border billing disputes costing $75,000+ monthly in legal and administrative overhead
  • Loss of federal grant eligibility worth $15M for regional infrastructure improvements

Scenario Explanation - in short Tri-State Energy Cooperative serves 185,000 customers across Texas (electric only), New Mexico (electric + gas), and Colorado (electric + gas + water). Director of Operations Amanda Rodriguez must configure:

  • Texas Region: Electric (kWh), Commercial categories include Oil & Gas operations, Agricultural irrigation
  • New Mexico Region: Electric (kWh) + Gas (MCF), Native American tribal lands requiring special documentation
  • Colorado Region: Electric (kWh) + Gas (MCF) + Water (gallons), Municipal wholesale customers, Ski resort seasonal billing System roles include Interstate Compliance Officers, Emergency Coordination Managers, and Cross-Border Settlement Specialists. Document types include Interstate Power Purchase Agreements, Tribal Service Compacts, Environmental Impact Assessments for each state, and Federal Reporting Templates.

Audience (Why it Matters) - in short

  • CSM → Must understand jurisdiction-specific regulations when handling customer issues, know which documents apply in each state, and coordinate with multiple regulatory bodies for complex cases
  • QA → Must validate that billing calculations comply with three different state regulations, test emergency response workflows across regions, and ensure data segregation meets privacy requirements
  • Engineers/Interns → Must comprehend multi-jurisdictional system architecture, regulatory compliance matrices, and how geographic service boundaries affect system configuration and data management

Does it fit in SMART360 ✅ Perfect Fit with Enhanced Configuration - SMART360 supports this through advanced categorization and modular access controls.

Step-by-step application:

  1. Utility Services: Configure region-specific services:
    • Texas: Electric only (kWh)
    • New Mexico: Electric (kWh) + Gas (MCF)
    • Colorado: Electric (kWh) + Gas (MCF) + Water (gallons)
  2. Consumer Categories: Create jurisdiction-specific categories:
    • Texas: Oil & Gas Operations, Agricultural Irrigation
    • New Mexico: Tribal Lands, Federal Facilities
    • Colorado: Municipal Wholesale, Ski Resorts, Mining Operations
  3. System Roles: Add specialized roles:
    • Administration: Interstate Compliance Officer, Emergency Coordination Manager
    • Customer Service: Cross-Border Settlement Specialist, Regulatory Liaison
  4. Document Types: Configure compliance documents:
    • "Interstate Agreements" with subcategories for each state combination
    • "Tribal Compacts" for New Mexico operations
    • "Environmental Reports" with state-specific requirements
  5. Contracts: Create jurisdiction-specific templates:
    • "Texas Commercial Service Agreement"
    • "New Mexico Tribal Service Compact"
    • "Colorado Municipal Wholesale Contract"
  6. System Access: Enable all modules with region-specific access controls

Scenario 8 – Smart City Integration with IoT Device Management

Scenario Description A progressive municipal utility implementing smart city infrastructure needs system configuration to manage traditional services plus emerging technologies like EV charging, micro-grids, and IoT sensor networks.

Objective (Why)

  • Integrate traditional utility services with smart city technologies including EV charging networks and distributed energy resources
  • Enable real-time monitoring and control of IoT devices across water, electric, and transportation infrastructure
  • Support dynamic pricing and demand response programs based on smart city data analytics

If Not Set – Business Impact

  • $3.2M smart city federal grant at risk due to inability to demonstrate integrated utility management
  • Missed revenue opportunities of $500,000+ annually from EV charging and micro-grid services
  • Public safety risks from unmonitored infrastructure and inability to respond to smart city alerts
  • Competitive disadvantage as neighboring cities advance smart city initiatives attracting businesses and residents

Scenario Explanation - in short Metro Smart City serves 95,000 residents with an integrated approach. Chief Innovation Officer Dr. Sarah Kim configures:

  • Traditional Services: Water (gallons), Electric (kWh), Waste (non-metered)
  • Smart Services: EV Charging (kWh sessions), Micro-grid (kWh import/export), Property Tax (assessment-based)
  • IoT Integration: 15,000 smart water meters, 500 air quality sensors, 200 traffic flow monitors Consumer categories include Smart Home participants, EV charging members, Community Solar subscribers, and Municipal IoT endpoints. Staff includes IoT Systems Specialists, Smart City Data Analysts, and EV Infrastructure Technicians. Document types cover Smart City Participation Agreements, IoT Device Installation Permits, and Data Privacy Consents.

Audience (Why it Matters) - in short

  • CSM → Must explain smart city services to residents, handle IoT device troubleshooting requests, and manage complex billing for multiple integrated services
  • QA → Must test IoT device integration, validate real-time data processing, and ensure smart city analytics integrate properly with traditional utility billing
  • Engineers/Interns → Must understand IoT system architecture, smart city data flows, and how emerging technologies integrate with traditional utility operations

Does it fit in SMART360 ✅ Perfect Fit with Advanced Configuration - SMART360's flexible service configuration supports IoT and smart city integration.

Step-by-step application:

  1. Utility Services: Configure comprehensive service portfolio:
    • Traditional: Water (gallons), Electricity (kWh), Waste (non-metered)
    • Smart City: EV Charging (kWh), Micro-grid (kWh), Broadband (GB)
    • Municipal: Property Tax (assessment-based)
  2. System Access: Enable advanced modules:
    • Asset Management (for IoT devices)
    • Integration Hub (for smart city systems)
    • Communication Hub (for IoT messaging)
    • Reports & Analytics (for smart city dashboards)
  3. Consumer Categories: Create smart city segments:
    • Smart Home Participants with subcategories: Bronze, Silver, Gold tiers
    • EV Infrastructure with subcategories: Residential Charging, Commercial Charging
    • Community Energy with subcategories: Solar Subscribers, Micro-grid Members
  4. System Roles: Add technology specialists:
    • Operations: IoT Systems Specialist, Smart City Data Analyst
    • Asset Management: EV Infrastructure Technician, Micro-grid Operator
  5. Document Types: Configure smart city documents:
    • "Smart City Agreements" with IoT participation terms
    • "Device Installation Permits" for residential IoT devices
    • "Data Privacy Consents" for smart city data collection
  6. Contracts: Create technology service contracts:
    • "EV Charging Membership Agreement"
    • "Community Solar Subscription Contract"
    • "Smart City Data Sharing Agreement"

Scenario 9 – Post-Disaster Recovery and Emergency Service Prioritization

Scenario Description A utility company in hurricane-prone regions needs system configuration to support emergency response, service prioritization, and rapid recovery operations following natural disasters.

Objective (Why)

  • Enable rapid identification and prioritization of critical infrastructure and vulnerable customers during emergencies
  • Support coordinated emergency response with multiple agencies including hospitals, emergency services, and military installations
  • Facilitate efficient resource allocation and workforce deployment during disaster recovery operations

If Not Set – Business Impact

  • Public safety emergencies from inability to prioritize critical facilities like hospitals and emergency services during outages
  • Federal emergency response coordination failures resulting in loss of FEMA reimbursement worth $8M+
  • Extended outage duration increasing by 40% due to inefficient resource deployment and customer prioritization
  • Legal liability from failure to maintain life-support services for medically vulnerable customers

Scenario Explanation - in short Gulf Coast Regional Utility serves 67,000 customers in hurricane-prone areas. Emergency Operations Director Captain Mike Torres (retired military) configures:

  • Critical Infrastructure: Hospitals (24/7 priority), Emergency Services (police, fire, 911 centers), Military Bases
  • Vulnerable Populations: Medical Life Support customers, Senior Care facilities, Dialysis Centers
  • Recovery Zones: Based on infrastructure damage assessment and crew accessibility Staff includes Emergency Response Coordinators, Critical Infrastructure Liaisons, Military Liaison Officers, and Disaster Recovery Specialists. System includes pre-staged emergency contracts with mutual aid utilities, federal response agencies, and emergency equipment suppliers. Document types include Emergency Response Plans, Critical Customer Verification, Mutual Aid Agreements, and FEMA Damage Assessment Forms.

Audience (Why it Matters) - in short

  • CSM → Must handle emergency calls from critical facilities, coordinate with emergency agencies, and manage customer communications during disasters while following strict prioritization protocols
  • QA → Must validate emergency prioritization algorithms work correctly, test backup communication systems, and ensure critical customer databases are always accurate and accessible
  • Engineers/Interns → Must understand emergency response protocols, critical infrastructure dependencies, and how disaster recovery affects normal system operations and resource allocation

Does it fit in SMART360 ✅ Perfect Fit with Emergency Configuration - SMART360's categorization and role management support emergency operations.

Step-by-step application:

  1. Consumer Categories: Create emergency priority categories:
    • Critical Infrastructure: Hospitals, Emergency Services, Military Bases, Water Treatment Plants
    • Vulnerable Populations: Medical Life Support, Senior Care, Dialysis Centers, Nursing Homes
    • Priority Commercial: Grocery Stores, Gas Stations, Pharmacies, Shelters
    • Recovery Zones: Zone A (immediate), Zone B (24-hour), Zone C (72-hour), Zone D (7-day)
  2. System Roles: Add emergency specialists:
    • Operations: Emergency Response Coordinator, Critical Infrastructure Liaison
    • Administration: Military Liaison Officer, Disaster Recovery Specialist
    • Customer Service: Emergency Communications Manager
  3. Document Types: Configure emergency documents:
    • "Emergency Response Plans" with facility-specific procedures
    • "Critical Customer Verification" for life-support dependencies
    • "Mutual Aid Agreements" with neighboring utilities
    • "FEMA Documentation" for federal reimbursement
  4. Contracts: Create emergency agreements:
    • "Critical Service Guarantee Contract" for hospitals
    • "Mutual Aid Emergency Contract" with regional utilities
    • "Emergency Equipment Rental Agreement"
  5. System Access: Priority on Communication Hub and Service Order modules for emergency coordination
  6. Utility Services: Configure all services with emergency priority flags

Scenario 10 – Renewable Energy Integration and Grid Modernization

Scenario Description A forward-thinking electric utility transitioning to renewable energy sources needs system configuration to manage distributed solar, battery storage, and dynamic grid operations with time-of-use pricing.

Objective (Why)

  • Enable bi-directional energy flow management with residential and commercial solar installations
  • Support battery storage systems for grid stabilization and customer energy independence
  • Implement dynamic pricing structures based on renewable energy availability and grid conditions

If Not Set – Business Impact

  • $12M+ in stranded renewable energy investments due to inability to properly manage distributed resources
  • Grid instability from unmanaged solar and storage systems risking $25M+ in equipment damage
  • Lost competitive advantage as customers switch to utilities offering advanced renewable programs
  • Regulatory non-compliance with state renewable energy mandates resulting in $5M+ annual penalties

Scenario Explanation - in short Green Valley Electric Cooperative serves 34,000 customers transitioning to 60% renewable energy by 2030. Grid Modernization Director Dr. Lisa Chen configures:

  • Traditional Electric Service: Standard residential/commercial (kWh consumption)
  • Solar Programs: Net Metering (kWh export), Community Solar (subscription shares), Rooftop Leasing
  • Storage Services: Residential Battery (kWh capacity), Commercial Storage (MW capacity), Grid-Scale Storage
  • Grid Services: Demand Response participation, Voltage Support, Frequency Regulation Consumer categories include Solar Prosumers, Battery Storage Participants, Community Solar Subscribers, and Smart Grid Pilot customers. Staff includes Distributed Energy Resource Engineers, Grid Operations Specialists, and Renewable Energy Coordinators. Document types include Interconnection Agreements, Power Purchase Agreements, Grid Services Contracts, and Environmental Impact Reports.

Audience (Why it Matters) - in short

  • CSM → Must explain complex renewable energy programs, handle net metering inquiries, and manage customer expectations for new energy technologies and dynamic pricing
  • QA → Must validate bi-directional metering calculations, test battery storage integration, and ensure renewable energy credits are properly tracked and allocated
  • Engineers/Interns → Must understand distributed energy resource management, grid stability requirements, and how renewable integration affects traditional utility operations

Does it fit in SMART360 ✅ Perfect Fit with Advanced Energy Configuration - SMART360's flexible utility service configuration supports renewable energy complexity.

Step-by-step application:

  1. Utility Services: Configure renewable energy portfolio:
    • Electricity (kWh) with bi-directional metering capability
    • Micro-grid (kWh import/export) for distributed resources
    • EV Charging (kWh) integrated with renewable sources
  2. Consumer Categories: Create renewable energy segments:
    • Solar Prosumers: Residential Solar, Commercial Solar, Community Solar Subscribers
    • Storage Participants: Residential Battery, Commercial Storage, Grid-Scale Partners
    • Smart Grid: Demand Response, Voltage Support, Time-of-Use Customers
  3. System Roles: Add renewable energy specialists:
    • Asset Management: Distributed Energy Resource Engineer, Grid Operations Specialist
    • Operations: Renewable Energy Coordinator, Storage Systems Manager
    • Administration: Grid Modernization Manager, Environmental Compliance Officer
  4. Document Types: Configure renewable documents:
    • "Interconnection Agreements" for distributed energy resources
    • "Power Purchase Agreements" for large renewable projects
    • "Grid Services Contracts" for battery storage participation
    • "Environmental Reports" for renewable project impacts
  5. Contracts: Create renewable energy contracts:
    • "Net Metering Service Agreement"
    • "Community Solar Subscription Contract"
    • "Battery Storage Participation Agreement"
    • "Demand Response Program Contract"
  6. System Access: Enable Asset Management, Integration Hub, and Advanced Analytics for renewable energy management

Scenario 11 – Industrial Manufacturing Complex with Process Integration

Scenario Description A utility serving a large industrial manufacturing complex needs sophisticated system configuration to manage multiple energy sources, process steam, wastewater treatment, and co-generation facilities.

Objective (Why)

  • Support complex industrial processes requiring multiple utility services with precise measurement and billing
  • Enable integration with manufacturing execution systems and real-time process control
  • Manage co-generation and waste heat recovery systems with buy-back arrangements

If Not Set – Business Impact

  • Manufacturing downtime costing $150,000+ per hour due to utility service coordination failures
  • Missed energy efficiency opportunities worth $2M+ annually from lack of integrated utility management
  • Regulatory violations for industrial wastewater discharge and air emissions due to poor monitoring
  • Loss of major industrial customers to competing utility providers offering integrated services

Scenario Explanation - in short Industrial Valley Authority serves a 500-acre petrochemical complex with 12 major facilities. Industrial Services Director Carlos Mendez configures:

  • Electric Service: Primary distribution (MW), Secondary service (kW), Emergency backup power
  • Steam Service: Process steam (MMBTU), Heating steam (MMBTU), Co-generation credit (MMBTU)
  • Water Services: Process water (thousands of gallons), Cooling water (circulation), Fire protection water
  • Waste Services: Wastewater treatment (gallons), Solid waste (tons), Hazardous waste (manifests) Consumer categories include Primary Manufacturing, Support Services, Environmental Control, and Co-generation Partners. Staff includes Industrial Account Managers, Process Integration Engineers, Environmental Compliance Specialists, and Emergency Response Coordinators.

Audience (Why it Matters) - in short

  • CSM → Must coordinate with industrial facility managers, handle complex billing inquiries involving multiple services, and manage emergency response procedures for industrial incidents
  • QA → Must validate complex industrial billing calculations, test process integration interfaces, and ensure environmental monitoring data is accurate and compliant
  • Engineers/Interns → Must understand industrial process requirements, utility interdependencies, and how manufacturing operations affect utility system design and operation

Does it fit in SMART360 ✅ Perfect Fit with Industrial Configuration - SMART360's comprehensive service and categorization features support complex industrial requirements.

Step-by-step application:

  1. Utility Services: Configure industrial service portfolio:
    • Electricity (MW for primary, kW for secondary)
    • Thermal/Heat (MMBTU for steam services)
    • Water (thousands of gallons for process, circulation for cooling)
    • Waste Water (gallons for treatment)
    • Waste (tons for solid, manifest tracking for hazardous)
  2. Consumer Categories: Create industrial segments:
    • Primary Manufacturing: Petrochemical, Refining, Chemical Processing
    • Support Services: Maintenance, Administration, Security, Fire Protection
    • Environmental: Wastewater Treatment, Air Quality Control, Waste Management
    • Co-generation: Steam Production, Power Generation, Heat Recovery
  3. System Roles: Add industrial specialists:
    • Customer Service: Industrial Account Manager, Process Integration Engineer
    • Operations: Environmental Compliance Specialist, Emergency Response Coordinator
    • Asset Management: Industrial Systems Engineer, Co-generation Operator
  4. Document Types: Configure industrial documents:
    • "Process Service Agreements" for manufacturing requirements
    • "Environmental Permits" for discharge and emissions
    • "Emergency Response Plans" for industrial incidents
    • "Co-generation Contracts" for buy-back arrangements
  5. Contracts: Create industrial service contracts:
    • "Primary Manufacturing Service Agreement"
    • "Co-generation Power Purchase Agreement"
    • "Industrial Wastewater Treatment Contract"
    • "Emergency Backup Service Agreement"
  6. System Access: Enable Integration Hub for manufacturing system interfaces, Asset Management for complex infrastructure

Scenario 12 – University Campus Micro-Utility with Student Housing

Scenario Description A large university operating as a micro-utility needs system configuration to manage campus-wide services including student housing, academic buildings, research facilities, and athletic venues with complex allocation methods.

Objective (Why)

  • Enable comprehensive utility management across diverse campus facilities with different billing methodologies
  • Support student housing operations with semester-based billing and roommate cost allocation
  • Manage research facility utilities with grant-funded project accounting and specialized requirements

If Not Set – Business Impact

  • Student billing disputes costing $200,000+ annually in administrative overhead and student retention issues
  • Research grant compliance failures risking $45M+ in federal and state research funding
  • Inefficient energy management across campus increasing utility costs by $3M+ annually
  • Inability to participate in utility demand response programs missing $500,000+ annual revenue opportunities

Scenario Explanation - in short State University operates utilities for 45,000 students and 8,000 staff across 200 buildings. Campus Utilities Director Dr. Patricia Wong configures:

  • Student Housing: Electric/Water per room, shared common area costs, semester billing cycles
  • Academic Buildings: Departmental allocation by square footage, summer/winter rate variations
  • Research Facilities: Grant-specific billing, specialized equipment loads, clean room requirements
  • Athletics/Events: Game day surge capacity, field lighting, seasonal facility usage Consumer categories include Undergraduate Housing, Graduate Housing, Academic Departments, Research Centers, Athletics, and Auxiliary Services. Staff includes Student Billing Coordinators, Research Account Managers, and Campus Energy Analysts.

Audience (Why it Matters) - in short

  • CSM → Must handle student billing questions, coordinate with housing administration, and manage semester transitions with thousands of account changes
  • QA → Must validate complex allocation algorithms, test semester billing cycles, and ensure research grant billing compliance with federal requirements
  • Engineers/Interns → Must understand campus utility distribution, academic calendar impacts on utility usage, and how grant accounting affects utility billing systems

Does it fit in SMART360 ✅ Perfect Fit with Academic Configuration - SMART360's flexible categorization and billing features support complex campus requirements.

Step-by-step application:

  1. Consumer Categories: Create campus-specific segments:
    • Student Housing: Undergraduate Dorms, Graduate Apartments, Family Housing
    • Academic: Classrooms, Laboratories, Libraries, Administration
    • Research: Federal Grants, State Grants, Private Contracts, Clean Rooms
    • Athletics: Sports Facilities, Recreation Centers, Game Day Operations
    • Auxiliary: Dining Services, Bookstore, Parking, Maintenance
  2. Utility Services: Configure campus utilities:
    • Electricity (kWh) with demand charges for large facilities
    • Water (gallons) with irrigation and cooling tower usage
    • Hot Water (MMBTU) for dormitories and dining
    • Waste (tons) with recycling tracking
  3. System Roles: Add campus specialists:
    • Customer Service: Student Billing Coordinator, Research Account Manager
    • Administration: Campus Energy Analyst, Sustainability Coordinator
    • Billing: Grant Compliance Specialist, Student Account Manager
  4. Document Types: Configure campus documents:
    • "Student Housing Agreements" with utility terms
    • "Research Grant Billing Reports" for compliance
    • "Departmental Allocation Reports" for academic budgeting
    • "Sustainability Reports" for campus environmental goals
  5. Contracts: Create campus service contracts:
    • "Student Housing Utility Agreement"
    • "Research Facility Service Contract"
    • "Athletics Special Event Agreement"
    • "Academic Department Service Agreement"
  6. System Access: Enable Reports & Analytics for campus energy management, Billing for complex allocation calculations
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